Exploding mechanism.



1. B. CORNELL.

EXPLODING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 28. I915. I

Patented Apr. 4, 1916.

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A MW 1"1' W1 7 lH I l I I I IIIIIHII I I i WITNESSES." INVENTOI? BY 1 V n A TTOR/VE Y PATENT OFFTQE.

JOHN B. CORNELL, OF ORANGE, NEW JERSEY.

EXPLODING MECHANISM.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHX l3. CORNELL, a citizen of the United States, and residing at 267 Tremont avenue, Orange, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and Improved Exploding Mechanism, of which the following specification is a full disclosure.

This invention relates to exploding clevices and more particularly to mechanism for causing the detonation of a charge of explosive projectiles.

One of the objects thereof is to provide means of the above type of simple construction and efficient and reliable action.

Another object is to provide automatic exploding"mechanism. the action of which does not depend upon heavy impact.

Another object is to provide exploding mechanism which is not only dependable in action but thoroughly safe until such action is desired.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplified in the. structure hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which are shown one or more of various possible embodiments of the several features of this invention, Figure 1 is a sectional plan of a portion of an explosive projectile, certain parts being cut away in order to disclose the structure more clearly. Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detailed view of a locking device. Fig. 4- is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing a slightly different form of exploding mechanism. Fig. 5 s a sectional detail taken along the line B-B of Fig. 4:.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

As conducive to a more clear understanding of certain features of this invention. it may here be noted that if the exploding mechanism of a projectile depends upon heavy impact for action when the projectile strikes, there are certain circumstances, as when the projectile is delivered against the .soft earth ofearthworks, when the. impact- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 4, 1916.

Application filed June 28, 1915. Serial No. 36,676.

is insufficient to reliably actuate the explod ing devices and the charge is not detonated. The avoidance of this defectin action and the achievement of the explosion of the projectile, even under unfavorable conditions, are among the leading aims of this invention.

Referring now to Fig. 1 of the drawings, there is shown at 1 the casing of'a projectile, as for example, a shrapnel shell, although it is to be understood that the term projectile is used throughout in a broad sense. At the rear end of this casing there is provided an opening within which the head 2 is screwed in position, and it may be noted that the opening is of sufficient size to permit'the removal of this head with the various parts mounted thereon, as hereinafter described. The projectile is provided with a suitable explosive charge diagrammatically indicated at 3 and with a detonating device at 4 of any desired form and adapted upon being sharply struck to explode the charge in the projectile. In the head 2 is a short heavy spindle 5 upon the forward or upper end of which is journaled a rotary member 6. The latter member is provided on its forward surface with a boss 7 having a point 8 adapted upon engagement with the detonating device 4 to actuate the latter and explode the charge. The member 6 is so shaped as by the heavy flange 9 to have a large moment of inertia and is so mounted as either to rotate or slide forwardly upon the forward end of the spindle 5. Formed in the outer surface of the end of spindle 5 in this illustrative embodiment, are a pair of inclined grooves 10, these grooves havingthe same pitch with respect to the mem her 6. The latter member is provided with a pair of grooves 11 in the surface bearing against the spindle 5 and these grooves register respectively with grooves 10. As best shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, these several grooves are of curved cross-section and in each pair of mating grooves or race-ways there are positioned one or more balls 12. The inclination of the several grooves will be clearly understood from their function, and the latter is as follows: Upon any rotation of the member 6 with respect to the spindle 5, as for example in a clockwise direction viewed from the rear end of the projectile, both pairs of registering grooves, beinginterlockedby theballs 12, will throw.

the member 6 in a forward direction. On the other hand, relative rotation of the member 6 within th projectile in an opposite direction will bring it to the position shown in full lines in the drawings, with the surface 13 resting upon the end of the spindle. By the use of a pair of grooves on opposite sides of the spindle, it will be understood broad features of this invention may be embodied in cruder forms of mechanism.

In order that this devicemav be handled safely without curtailing its effectiveness in action, there is formed in the spindle 5 a square shouldered groove 14. -Mounted upon the rear surface of the member 6 is a swinging latch 15 pivoted at 16. This latch, which may be duplicated. if desired, is normally urged into interlocking relation with the groove 14 by a spring 17, as best shown in full lines in Fig. 3 of the drawings. lVhen the projectile, however, takes up its whirling movement, due to the riiiing of the gun, the latch 15 under the influence of centrifugal force swings outwardly as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3. In order to prevent premature return of this latch to locking position, there is provided on the end of the spring 17 a hook end 18 which slides over the outer surface of the latch and ultimately rests within a suitable notch 19, thus holding the latch against return.

Considering, now, the action of this apparatus, it may be noted that with the parts as shown in full linesin Fig. 1 of the drawings. the rojectile maybe handled with absolute safzty as one or more of the latches l5 securely lock the member 6 against movement into operative position- With the parts in such position, the entire mechanism above described may readily be removed for inspection, repair or substitution. When the projectile is discharged, the rifiing of the gun causes the customary rotation at a high speed as it travels on its course. The inertia of the member 6 causes it at first to tend to lag with respect to therotating spindle and this action simply seats the member 6 more firmly in the positionshown. At this stage, however, the latch 15 is whirled outwardly and locked in released position, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3 of the drawings, thus leaving the member 5 free to move forwardly. If, now, the projectile strikes av soft body, as loose earth, its rotary movement is instantly retarded or braked by the high friction of the contact of its outer walls therewith. The rapidly spinning member 6,

however, is not subjected directly to this retarding effect and hence tends to continue its rotation at high speed and is instantly snapped forward into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. l of the drawings, thus detonating the charge of the shell.

In the above action, the direct impact of the projectile when it strikes also aids materially as it, too, tends to throw the member 6 forwardly, but the latter action is not depended upon as the rotary momentum of this member is suliicient to reliably effect the desired result. If, however, the projectile strike a firm body with a much greater impact and less retardation of its rotary movement, the impact alone is sufficient to throw the member 6 forwardly into active position as the inclination of the grooves 10 is such that a forward impulse will cause a corresponding movement of the member 6 without jamming of the parts. It may accordingly be noted that'by the term jamming angle as hereinafter used with reference to the above parts, is meant such angle, depending upon the form and coefficient of friction of the parts, as would cause these parts to jam under the influence of a force acting lengthwise of the projectile.

It is to be understood that the fit of the member 6 upon the end of the spindle 5 is such that suflicient friction is provided to prevent the premature explosion of the shell, due to a gradual retardation of its rate of rotation occasioned by the friction of its outer skin with the air.

In the apparatus shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, the parts are largely similar to those of the apparatus first described, although an opposite inclination of the grooves 20 with respect to the grooves 10 is shown to indicate thatthis invention may readily be used irrespective ofthe direction or riding of the gun. The releasing device in this apparatus, however, takes the 'forin of four fiat springs 21 firmly secured as at 22 to the member 6. These springs are provided with the heads 23 bent to take into the groove 24.

The action of this apparatus will be clear from the description of that first described and it may be noted that under the influence of centrifugal force the several springs 21 fly outwardly to release the member 6 for its forward movement into detonating position. It will thus be seen that there is herein described apparatus in which the several objects of this invention are achieved and which is not only of simple construction and reliable action but is well suited to iii) herein described or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus revealed this invention, I claim as new and desire to secure the following combinations of elements, or equivalents thereof, by Letters Patent of the United States 1. In exploding mechanism, in combination, a device adapted upon actuation to cause the explosion of a charge, a locking member normally mounted to hold said de vice against actuation and so mounted as to swing outwardly into releasing position under the influence of centrifugal force, and a spring normally urging said locking member inwardly and shaped to interlock with said locking member and hold it outward by said interlocking action therewith when it has been swung out by centrifugal force.

2. In exploding mechanism, in combination, a projectile containing an explosive charge, a detonating device in said projectile, :1 member mounted in said projectile free for relative rotary and forward movement into operative relation to said detonating device, and means comprising and acting on a surface inclined to the axis of said projectile at less than the jamming angle adapted positively to urge said member forwardly upon the rotation of said projectile being retarded.

3. In exploding mechanism, in combination, a projectile containing an explosive charge, a detonating device for said charge, a member mounted within said projectile, means actuated by the rotary momentum of said member adapted to actuate said detonating device. a locking member normally holding said first member against actuating movement and mounted to release the same by the action of centrifugal force, and means adapted automatically to hold said locking member in releasing position, said first means being formed to be sensitive to and actuated by the sole effect of retardation of its forward movement.

l. In exploding mechanism, in combination, a projectile containing an explosive charge, a detonating device in said projectile, a member mounted in said projectile free for relative rotary and forward movement into operative relation to said detonating device, means comprising and acting on a surface inclined to the axis of said projectile at less than the jamming angle adapted positively to urge said member forwardly upon the rotation of said projectile being retarded, a locking member normally holding said first member against forward movement and mounted to release said member by the action of centrifugal force, and means adapted automatically to hold said locking member in releasing position.

5. In exploding mechanism, in combination, a projectile containing an explosive charge, a detonating device for said charge, a member mounted within said projectile, a member upon which said first member has a rotary bearing and upon which it is mounted to move into operative relation to said detonating device, a pair of substantially registering inclined grooves of curved cross-- section respectively formed in the inner surface of one of said members and the'outer surface of the other, and a ball resting in both of said grooves.

o. In exploding mechanism, in combination, a projectile containing an explosive charge, a detonating device for said charge, amember mounted within said projectile and susceptible during the flight of said projectile to relative rotary movement therein, and means co-acting with said member. and adapted to wedge the same against said detonating device upon the rotation of said projectile being retarded.

7. In exploding mechanism, in combination, a projectile containing an explosive charge, a detonating device within said projectile, a member in said projectile, and means mounting said member formed and adapted to cause said member to move by its inertia into operative relation with said detonating device upon either the forward or rotary motion of said projectile being retarded.

8. In exploding mechanism, in combination, a projectile containing an explosive charge, a member within said projectile, means supporting said member and holding the same free for relative rotation prior to the impact of the projectile and adapted to urge said member in a predetermined direction upon the rotation of said projectile being retarded, and a detonating device positioned substantially in line with the axis of relative rotation of said member.

9. In exploding mechanism, in combina tion, a projectile containing an explosive charge, a detonating device, a member within said projectile at the rear of said detonating device and at the rear of said explosive charge, and means mounting said member and holding it free for relative rotary movement prior to the impact of said projectile, said means being adapted to force said member into operative relation with said detonating device upon the rotation of said projectile being retarded.

10. In exploding mechanism, in combination, a projectile containing an explosive charge, a detonating device substantially in the longitudinal axis of said projectile, a member mounted in said projectile for relative rotary movement about said axis, means adapted to urge said. member toward said detonating device upon the rotation of said projectile being retarded, means adapted to hold said member against relative rotary movement, and means actuated by the discharge of said projectile adapted to release said lock.

11. In exploding mechanism, in combination, a projectile containing an explosive charge, a detonating device for said charge, a member mounted within said projectile and adapted prior to the impact of said pro ectile to move relatively thereto by its inertia upon either the forward or rotary movement of said projectile being retarded, means adapted upon either of said movements being retarded to cause said member to move into operative relation to said detonating device, a lock normally tending to hold said member against movement, and means actuated by the discharge of said projectile adapted to release said lock.

12. In exploding mechanism, in combination,'a projectile containing an explosive charge, a detonating device for said charge, a member mounted within said projectile and adapted prior to the impact of said projectile to move relatively thereto by its inertia upon either the forward or rotary movement of said projectile being retarded, means adapted upon either of said movements being retarded to cause said member to move into operative relation to said detonating device, a lock normally tending to hold said member against movement, and means actuated by the discharge of said projectile adapted to release said lock, said detonating device and the co-acting portion of said member being positioned substantially in the longitudinal axis of said projectile.

13. In exploding mechanism, in combination, a projectile containing an explosive charge, a detonating device for said charge positionedsubstantially in the longitudinal axis of said projectile, a member mounted in said projectile at the rear of said detonating device, and means mounting said member free for either relative rotary or forward movement prior to the impact of saidprojectile upon either the forward or rotary movement of said projectile being retarded, said means being adapted to wedge said member into operative relation with said detonating device upon the rotation of the projectile being retarded. Y

14. In exploding mechanism, in combination, a projectile containing an explosive charge, a detonating device for said charge positioned substantially in the longitudinal axis of said projectile, a member mounted in said projectile at the rear of said detonating device, means mounting said member free for either relative rotary or forward movement prior to the impact of said projectile upon either the forward or rotary movement of said projectile being retarded, said means being adapted to wedge said member into operative relation with said detonating device upon the rotation of the projectile being retarded, a lock normally holding said member against relative movement in said projectile, and means actuated by the discharge of said projectile adapted to release said lock.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name, as attested by the two subscribing Witnesses.

E. L. MORGAN, WM. L. BURK, Jr.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents.

' Washington, D. G. 

